Sample taking tool



March 31, 1953 SAMPLE TAKING TOOL Filed April 28, 1947 46 I 46 Fig. a

4 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. 3

jvwwvton; Granville A. Humasan' March 31 A HUMASQN 2,633,200

SAMPLE TAKING TOOL Filed April 28, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 'l 5, i I i 2 EII 1 2| 1 a a :l i s i i 3 I i i I i I! n. I i 144 p 1 I 2 a i I I6 l In a il n l. 15 Wu 1 2 [60, All i E; III I i 5 n l I 5 5 v i 5 3 I ill a g i" l i[ Q F ll V F/g..9

3 Wu Granville Al-lumason March 31, 1953 G. A. HUMASON SAMPLE TAKING TOOL 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 28, 1947 Fig. /2

grwm vtm Granville A. Humasan NVAVJZI 2. I I I I A IIII Fly/0 E t ll 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 G. A. HUMASON SAMPLE TAKING TOOL March 31, 1953 Filed April 28, 1947 Patented Mar. 31, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAMPLE TAKING TOOL Granville A. Humason, Houston, Tex. Application April 28, 1947, Serial No. 744,398 I Y This invention relates to a sample taking tool, commonly known as a well tester.

An object of the invention is to provide a tool of the character described designed to take samples from the side wall formation of a well at any selected elevation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tool of the character described embodying spaced packers, or seals, whereby a selected stratum may be sealed off in order to take an uncontaminated sample of the fluid from the sealed off stratum.

The invention also includes novel means for opening the tool to permit the free inflow of fluid from the sealed off stratum with additional means for entrapping a sample of the fluid within the tool when it is desired to withdraw the tool from the well to inspect the entrapped sample,

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in a tool of the character described,'a novel arrangement of spaced packers, or seals, which may be simultaneously and efiiciently expanded to form the required seals on opposite sides of the stratum to be tested and which will readily collapse, or contract, upon initial movement of the tool in withdrawing it from the well.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel type of packer assembly for forming a seal between an inner pipe and the walls of a well bore.

' The tool also includes a novel type of wash valve for washing the well preparatory to the sample taking operation.

In one embodiment of the invention it is also adapted for use in acidizing the productive formation.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the tool as being lowered into the well with the packers collapsed.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the tool as set ina well.

Figure 3 is a side view of the tool as set at the bottom of an open hole.

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly in section ,of the upper end of the tool showing the packer intermediate portion thereof.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the 'line 6-'-fi of Figure 5.

Figure 7'is a side elevation, partlyln section,

"or the lower end thereof.

3 Claims. (CL 166-.-11)

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary, side elevation, partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 is a side view, partly in section, of the upper end of the tool as set in the well..

Figure 11 is a side view, partly in section, of an intermediate section of the tool.

Figure 12 is a side view, partly in section, of the lower end of the tool.

Figure 13 is a vertical, sectional view of a wash valve assembly which may be employed, and

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l4l4 of Figure 13.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate the same parts in each of the figures, the numeral l designates an operating string of pipe, such as a drill stem, which extends to the ground surface and is connected at its lower end to an external collar 2.

There is a tubular mandrel 3 whose upper end has a thread-ed connection with collar 2 and contains an annular valve seat 4 controlled by an upwardly opening valve 5 confined within a cage 6 mounted in collar 2.

The lower end of the mandrel has an external downwardly enlarged upwardly tapering portion formed with coarse threads I and fitted over the mandrel there is a coupling 8 whose upper end is sealed with the mandrel by a suitable seal ring between them preferably in the form of an Oring 9 and beneath said seal coupling 8 is provided with internal coarse threads I which intermesh with threads I.

The lower end of coupling '8 is internally enlarged to form a by-pass ll hereinafter referred to and screwed into said coupling beneath the by-pass there is an annular anchor l2.

There is a pipe I3 whose upper end is screwed into the internal lower end of anchor l2 and which extends down through the tool substantially to the lower end thereof.

The lower end of pipe I3 is closed by an enlarged piston [3a surrounded by an annular sea ring 14.

Surrounding pipe I3 are spaced upper end lower sleeve-like expansible packers l5 and I6, respectively, preferably formed of suitable sealing material. These packers closely surround pipe l3, which pipe forms a support therefor. The upper and lower packers are of substantially similar construction. Upper packer [5 has inside upper and lower inwardly converging lips [5a, l5a and lower packer l6 has upper and lower inside lips l'6a, 16a. These lips fit closely around pipe l3 and are spaced apart and thus form within said packers closed upper chamber l1 and closed lower chamber l8.

Beneath upper packer l5 and surrounding the pipe I 3 there is an annular anchor IS. The ends of packer l5 may be mortised into the adjacent anchors l2 and I9 and pinned therein, as shown in Figures 4 and 10.

Adjacent the upper end of lower packer l6 and surrounding pipe l3 there is an annular anchor 20 and adjacent the lower end of packer l6 and surroundin pipe l3 there is an elongated sleevelike anchor 2 I. V

The upper and lower ends of packer [6 are mortised into the adjacent ends of anchors 23, 2 l

Telescoping into the lower end of mandrel 3 and having a swivelling connection with said mandrel there is a reducing coupling 22 which is closed intermediate its length by a transverse partition 23. The coupling 22 carries external annular upper and lower seal rings 24, 25 adapt- -ed to form seals with outside coupling 8. The reducing coupling 22 is provided with radial ducts '23 between said seals 26 and 25 and above partition 23 so that when the coupling 22 is moved downwardly into the by-pass ll said ducts 26 will be open to said by-pass l I.

Depending from coupling 22 there is a tubular stem 21 which extends down into pipe I3 and whose lower end is closed by means of a plung- The upper end of stem 21 is provided with outlet ports 29 so that when ducts 23 are in communication with by-pass ll fluid may flow upwardly through stem 27 and through openings 29, and ducts 26 as shown in Figure 10, and on up through mandrel 3 lifting valve 5 and passing up into drill stem l and if the well pressure is suflicient said fluid may flow on up to the ground surface.

As is indicated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 11 the well has an oil bearing stratum 30 and if the well is eased the casing 3| will be perforated opposite the oil bearing stratum.

The pipe I3 has a series of inlet openings 32 located between packers l5 and l 6 through which well fluid may flow into said pipe and the lower end of stem 21 has inlet openings, as 33, above plunger 28 and also has annular seal rings 34 and 35 therearound on opposite sides of openings 33 and which forms seals with inside of the pipe l3.

As hereinabove stated the mandrel 3 may have a threaded connection with outside coupling 8,

asshown in Figure 4, and when so connected stem 2'! and, piston 23 will be in their upper position, as shown in Figure 5, with seal 35 above inlet ports 32 but when mandrel 3 is disconnected from outside coupling 8 and lowered stem 2'! and plunger 28 will move downwardly to position shown in Figure 11 with the seal rings 3 1, 35 on opposite sides of inlet ports 32 so as to permit ,the inflow of fluid from the surrounding stratum 30 and into stem 2.! and on up through drill stem I.

The sleeve-like anchor 2! is internally enlarged providing a cylinder 36 therein with an annular downwardly facing shoulder 31 at the upper end of the cylinder, said shoulder being formed with downwardly projecting, spaced teeth 38 and the lower end of pipe 13 is formed with external outwardly extending, spaced teeth 39 adapted to be in te'rengaged with and disengaged from teeth 38 in a manner, and for a purpose, to be hereinafter explained.

Leading from the lower end of cylinder 36 up through the walls of anchor 2| there are the channels 40, 40 which enter chamber I3 of lower packer H3. The anchors l9 and 28 are connected by tubes 4|, 4! and said anchors also have axial ducts 82 and 43 which communicate with said tubes and which also communicate with the corresponding chambers l I, I8 so that the chambers within said upper and lower packers are connected for the free flow of liquid between them and are also connected with cylinders 36.

The anchors l9 and 20 are also anchored together by means of anchor rods 4 54 which are provided to strengthen the structure.

Secured to and depending from lower anchor 2! there is a tubular support d5 whose lower end may be closed by a suitableplug l5. Casing engaging means are mounted on support 45 and will now be described: On the upper end of support 65 there is an expander 47, supported to swivel on shoulder 15a of said support, and having downwardly and inwardly tapering faces 48 with which wedge shaped casing engaging slips 39 have a slidable dovetailed connection. These slips have external downwardly pitched teeth 50 and their inner sides are. shaped to conform to the taper of faces 38. As illustrated, four slips are shown. Slidably mounted on support 45 are upper and lower cage rings 5| and 52 which are connected by outwardly bowed springs 53 which frictionally engage casing 3! as the tool is lowered into the well; said rings 5|, 52 and springs 53 forming a cage. Fixed on support 45 within said cage there is an abutment 54 and between this abutment and cage ring 5| there is a coil spring 55. Depending from lower cage ring 52 are oppositely disposed hooks 53, 58, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 12, and extending outwardly from the lower end of support 45 are studs 57, 57. When hooks 56 are engaged over studs 57 the cage will be held in its lower position with spring 55 under compression, as shown in Figure 1. The cage will be thereby maintained in its lower position with casing engaging slips 49 also in their lower position as shown in Figure l.

The equipment above described may be assembled, as shown in Figure 1, with slips 49 in their lower, inner position with mandrel 3 connected to coupling 8 by threads l and I!) and in this position piston l3a will be at the upper end of cylinder 36 with jaw clutch teeth 38 and 39 interengaged, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and with plunger 23 in its upper position, as shown .in Figure 5, with packers l3 and i6 collapsed. In

assembling the tool, the chambers l1 and l 8, cylinder 33 and ducts connecting said cylinder with said chambers should be filled with a suitable liquid. The upper anchor l2 carries an inside seal ring 58 which forms a seal between said anchor and stem 2? at all times.

As so assembled the tool may be lowered into the well to the desired location so as to locate the packers on opposite sides of the stratum to be tested, as illustrated in Figure l and the operating string, or stem, I then turned to the right. The collar 8, anchor I2, and pipe I3 will be correspondingly turned to the right and with clutch teeth 38 and 39 in mesh sleeve-like anchor 2| and support 45 will be turned to the right but the cage will be held stationary by reason of the friction of springs 53 with casing 3| and studs 51 will be disengaged from the hooks 5.6. The spring 55 being thereby released will expand and elevate the cage into the position shown in Figures 2 and 12. The upper end of the cage is connected to slips 49 by means of a sectional collar 5|a having a swivelling connection with ring '5| and links, as 59, which are pivoted to said collar 5m and to the slips, and therefore upon upward movement of the cage the slips 49 will be moved upwardly and outwardly into engagement with casing 3|. The sections of collar 5| a are maintained assembled by a surrounding retainer ring 5|b which is screwed onto ring 5|.

The packers are now ready to be set. In order to set the packers the operating string may be lowered and mandrel 3, coupling 8 and anchor l2 will move downwardly with the string applying an endwise compressive force to the packer assembly above described. Said assembly, however, will be supported against downward movement, as a unit, by sleeve-like anchor 2| and the packers will be expanded, as illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The tubular support l3 and piston 301 will also move downwardly placing the fluid in cylinder 36 under compression and this fluid will be forced upwardly through channels 4|] into lower chamber l8 and thence on upwardly through channels 43, tubes 4| and channels 42 into chamber H of upper packer l5 and this fluid, under pressure, will assist in expanding said packers and will also force lips l5a, |6a of the packers into sealing relationship with support l3 which the packers-surround.

Thereupon the operating string may be turned to the right to unscrew mandrel 3 from outer coupling 8 and the operating string further lowered moving said mandrel 3 downwardly to the position indicated in Figure 10. This will operate to move reducing coupling 22 downwardly into by-pass and to move plunger 28 downwardly to the position shown in Figure 11 whereby openings 32 and 33 will be in registration.

The tool is now set as illustrated in Figure 2 and as also illustrated in Figures to 12 and the fluid in the formation to be tested will flow in through the ports, or openings, 32, 33 up through stem 21 and thence through openings 29, by-pas channel H and ducts 26 and on up through the drill stem.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 the casing engaging means hereinabove described have been dispensed with and the tester is shown set in an open bore hole at the bottom of the bore and lower sleeve-like anchor 2| is supported by tubular drill collar 60 to the lower end of which a drill 6| is connected and which rests on the bottom of the bore hole. In other respects the tool shown in Figure 3 is the same as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

After suiiicient time haselapsed to allow a sample to enter, the tool may then be withdrawn. Upon initial upward movement of operating string I reducing coupling 22 will be moved upwardly above by-pass I thus closing off ducts 26 and plunger 28 will be moved above inlet openings 32 thus closing off openings 33 of the stem 21. Coupling 22 and plunger 28 thus act as valves for opening and closing stem 21 and for entrapping a clean sample of the fluid from the formation in said stem and said stem 21 forms a samplechamber for the entrapped sample.

Upon further upward movement of the operating string outside coupling 8, anchor I2, pipe l3 and plunger 3a will be correspondingly elevated and packers l5 and IE will be relieved of the endwise compressive force exerted against them and the fluid in chambers l1 and I8 will flow back down into cylinder 33 so that the packers may fully collapse for withdrawal; also expander 41 (of the form shown in Figures 1 and 2) will move upwardly causing slips 49 to move inwardly and to release well casing 3| and the tool may then be withdrawn from the well bore.

The pipe |3 is provided with a port 62 which is located beneath piston 28 through which well liquid may freely flow upon downward or upward movement of said piston during the operation of the tool so that the liquid pressure in pipe I3 beneath the piston will not interfere with the downward movement of the piston and vacuum in said pipe beneath the piston will not interfere with its upward movement.

.At times it may be found desirable to wash the well before the sample is taken, that is to remove the drilling fluid from the well above the testing tool and replace the same with clean water. For that purpose a wash valve assembly has been provided as shown in Figures 13 and 14. This wash valve assembly may be connected to the upper end of the lower section of operating string l as illustrated in Figure 13. This wash valve assembly includes a cylindrical valve casing 63, which is in the form of a coupling which may be connected into the operating string. It is formed with an axial passageway 64. The valve casing 63 also is provided with a plurality of vertical cylinders 65 wherein corresponding plungers 66 operate. Screwed into the upper ends of cylinders 65 are plugs 61 having vertical passageways 68 therethrough. The plungers 66 are seated on coil springs 69 which normally hold the plungers in their upper position. The cylinders 65 have outlet side ports 10 which are closed by the plungers when said plungers are in their upper position. When it is desired to use the wash valve assembly the collar 2 should be equipped with the back pressure valve assembly as shown in Figure 4 but if the testing tool is to be used without the wash valve assembly this back pressure valve may be omitted as is indicated in Figure 10. When it is desired to wash the Well clean washmg liquid may be forced down through passageways 68 and plungers 66 will be thereby forced downwardly into position to clear outlet ports 10 as indicated in Figure 13 and the washing fluid will flow out into the well casing forcing the drill- 'ing mud or other contaminated liquid above out of the well.

As the plungers 66 are forced downwardly the liquid in the cylinders 65 beneath the plungers will be forced outwardly through the ducts 1| leading out from the cylinders beneath the plungers. Upon relief of the pressure in the operating string the plungers 66 will be forced upwardly by springs 69 closing outlet ports 10 and liquid will flow in through the ducts 1| to prevent the formation of vacuums in cylinders 65 beneath said plungers.

The plungers 66 are provided with suitable seal rings around them to form fluid tight seals with the cylinder walls. These seals include upper and lower, downwardly opening cup rings 12 and 13; also mounted on the upper ends of the plungers are resilient upwardly tapering .valves 14. The lower ends of passageways 68 are downwardly flared forming valve seats 15. When 12 will be above parts It and cup rings 73 will be beneath said ports so that the pressure of the liquid in the well outside of the operating string will operate through ports against the upper cup rings and through ducts 1| against the lower ends of the plungers and the lower cup rings to hold the valves 14 tightly seated in their corresponding seats 15 so as to prevent any leakage.

After a sample has been entrapped and the tool is being elevated in the process of removing it from the well it' may be found desirable to wash the well to remove the heavy drilling mud therefrom and thus relieve the pressure from said packers. With the wash valve, above described, connected into the operating string, this Washing operation may be carried on without interfering with, or contaminating, the entrapped sample "being withdrawn.

The tool may be readily modified and then used for acidizing the producing formation preparatory to making the test, as indicated in Figure 9.

In such case the wash valve assembly shown in Figures 13 and 14 and the back pressure valve will not be necessary. The mandrel 3, couplings 8 and 22 and stem 21 with its plunger 28 will be removed and anchor 2! will be connected directly into coupling 2, such as shown in Figures 2 and 10. The packers and the remaining parts of the tool will be the same as shown in Figure 2' or Figure 3. When the packers are set, as hereinabove explained, the acidizing liquid may be forced down through the operating string I, through anchor l2, and will pass out through openings 32 into the stratum to be acidized and thereafter tested.

What I claim is:

l. A sample taking tool for wells comprising, a tubular support for a packer assembly; a packer assembly around the support including an upper and a lower expansible packer, each of said packers being formed with upper and lower annular inside lips in sealing engagement with the support and forming therewith an annular chamber in the packer, tubular members in circumferentially spaced relation around the support and connected to the packers in communication with the chambers and spacing the packers apart; means telescopically connecting the assembly to an operating string of pipe and including disconnecta'ble means fixedly connecting the string and support together in extended relationshipand disconnectible to permit telescoping movement between the string and support; casing gripping means connected to the support beneath the assembly and engageable with a surrounding casing in the well being tested to support the assembly against downward movement in the well; means above the packer assembly mounted on the operating string for applying an endwise compressive force to said assembly, upon release of the. operating string from the assembly and downward movement of said string, toexpand the packers, said support having a fluid containing cylinder therein and a piston on said operating string movable in the support for applying pressure to the fluid in said cylinder upon said downward movement of the string, said support having a passageway leading from said cylinder and in communication with one of said annular chambers through which fluid may be applied to the packer chambers upon application of said compressive force; a wash valve in said string adapted to prevent a washing fluid, forced downwardly through. said string from passing downwardly through said support and to divert said washing fluid into the well about said string; inlet valve means in said support between said packers operable to permit fluid to flow from the well into the support between the packers, upon expansion of the packers by the downward movement of said string and said valve means being operable to entrap said fluid in the well upon upward movement of the string.

2. A well tool comprising, a packer support having upper and. lower tubular elements movable axially relative to each other; casing gripping means connected to the lower element and adapted to grippingly engage a surrounding casing in a well to support the lower element against downward movement in the well; a packer assembly around the support and including an upper and a lower expansible packer, each packer having an internal expansible chamber; tubular means connected to said packers outside of said support for maintaining said packers spaced apart, said tubular means communicating with said chambers; means for applying an endwise compressive force to said assembly to expand the packers upon downward movement of the upper element relative to the lower element, and means carried by the upper element and cooperable with the lower element upon said downward movement of the upper element for applying fluid pressure internally to one of said chambers upon such downward movement.

3. A well tool comprising, a packer support having upper and lower tubular elements movable axially relative to each other; casing gripping means connected to the lower element and adapted to grippingly engage a surrounding casing in a well for supporting the lower element against downward movement in the wall; a packer assembly around the support and including an upper and a lower expansible packer, each packer having an internal expansible chamber; tubular spacers connected to the packers and communicating with said expansible chambers for maintaining said packers spaced apart; means for applying an endWise compressive force to said assembly to expand the packers upon downward movement of the upper element relative to the lower element; one of said elements containing a cylinder and a piston on the other element for applying pressure to liquid in said cylinder, said tool having passageways leading from said cylinder and in communication with said tubular spacers through which liquid under pressure may be applied to the packer chambers upon application of said compressive force.

GRANVILLE A. HUMASON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,107,655 Vogt et a1. Feb. 8, 1938 2,227,545 Haslam Jan. 7, 1941 2,229,635 Boynton Jan. 28, 1941 2,280,785 Boynton Apr. 28, 1942 2,516,580 Lynes July 25, 1950 2,565,130 Humason Aug. 21, 1951 

